Excelsior Correspondent
RAMNAGAR, Aug 25: Lambasting State Government for paying no heed to the issue of reservation in promotions, the members of all socio-religious organizations from reserved categories and Jammu Kashmir Reserve Categories Employees Association (JKRCEA) held a joint mass protest rally at Ramnagar seeking restoration of reservation in promotions for the employees of Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Resident of Backward Area (RBA) and Actual Line of Control (ALC) categories. This protest rally was led by heads of various socio-religious organizations of reserve categories alongwith Dr Sanjay Bhasin, president of JKCEA, Bodh Raj Bhagat, Mohinder Bhagat, P K Chouhan and Forum of Retired Employees of Reserve Categories. They castigated the State Government for its total mishandling of the issue of grave socio-political importance. They also alleged that the faith of reserved categories which they staked at Government, has faded as the establishment was not defending its own Act before the Apex Court whereas the other private respondents have filed scores of SLPs.
Dr Sanjay Bhasin, in his presidential address, said that the employees of reserve categories are under threat of serious irreversible loss and appealed Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to intervene into this very sensitive & serious matter and bring suitable ordinance/ resolution/ bill/ amendment in the current session of the assembly to negate the effects of Division Bench Order of the High court. He also urged the Government to adopt Constitutional 77th, 81st & 85th Amendments. “Government should also set up a committee including members of Civil society from SC/ ST/ OBC’s, Socio-religious heads of SC/ ST/ OBC organizations as well as elected representatives of SC/ ST/ OBC to work up the quantifiable data that will show how much reservation have been given & implemented in J&K,” he said.
The protestants at the end, unanimously decided that if Government fails to address the genuine issue of Reservation in promotion, a state wide agitation shall be launched.
Others who addressed the rally, included Bodh Raj Bhagat, Ashok Kumar, P K Chouhan, Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Ram Lal Bhagat, Ram Rattan Darai, M R Bangotra, Kaka Ram, Guru Ravi Dass, Mangal Dass, Ranjeet Singh Advocate Pawan Kundal, Balkrishan, Ravi Kumar Bhagat, Satish Viddrohi, Sita Ram and Gian Chand Kalotra.
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